The Spring Vintage Season awaits...

Happy New Year to you. It has been a lovely few relatively quiet weeks at "Washerwoman HQ". Since Christmas I have been sorting out my workroom and stock in readiness for the Spring Vintage Season.

 I discovered things that I had bought a while ago... in an old box were these gorgeous catalogues which are great for reference. I have kept a few, but will be taking the rest with me to the Vintage and Antique Fairs in the next few weeks.

 My favourite page is this one showing the different designs of the pinnies. Each design has a name, you can choose "Ida, Grace, Iris, Pearl or Minnie" to brighten up your housework day!

 More formal attire here.....

 I also discovered this charming photography envelope. Such a simple thing, but so evocative of the time.

 Of course I had squirreled away a stash of old photographs. They are my weakness and I usually buy them at Flea markets both in the UK and France. The time has come to thin out my collection, so have scanned some of them so that I can part with them at sales. I will have a few with me at Ardingly Antiques Fair this week.

 The same can be said for my collection of knitting patterns. These usually sell well at The Honiton Textile fair , the next one is on Tuesday February 5th in the Mackarness Hall in the centre of the town.

See you somewhere soon! Lizzie x

This Vintage Life

 No stopping for a breather after The Vintage Bazaar in Frome on Saturday. We had a super-busy day in the Cheese and Grain with 900 energetic shoppers thronging into the building.

 Next stop on Sunday morning was the newly opened Vintage Quarter in Wilton, near Salisbury.

A Vintage event for outside stall holders was taking place over the weekend. We were soon set up in a Marquee (with heating!) 

 I couldn't wait to see the rest of the buildings. Vintage 57 and Snooty Fox have the most wonderful space on the ground floor.

 Textile temptations in this gorgeous shabby cupboard..

 It was fab!

 Upstairs is another Vintage area, sadly my photos didn't come out too well as the sunshine was pouring into the room. I met up with Claire from Lost and Found Vintage. who had sooooo many tempting treasures for sale. How I resisted a blue striped French bed cover with blue roses was nothing short of a miracle.

 The rest of the fair was divided between other buildings, in one of the rooms I met a lovely lady called Anne Marie who knits the most delicate and pretty scarves as well as other pretty Vintage inspired treasures. I am sorry that I didn't buy the green scarf with polka dot spots. It was stunning, but I do have rather a lot of green scarves to go with my collection of Vintage green coats......say no more.

Happy Christmas everybody and all the very best for the New Year. Thank you to all the readers of my humble blog, see you somewhere in 2013. Lizzie x

Christmas is coming!

 Yes, I know.... you don't need me to remind you of the fact that Christmas is coming!

 The roads are busier, the High street is heaving and pressure is mounting....

 But today, I took "time out" and met some friends for a jolly lunch in The Daisy Cottage Tearooms

 Tucked away in Bishops Lydeard, is this pretty place which serves excellent food and a very warm welcome.

 The window is dressed and ready for the Festive Season with a fab arrangement of Vintage Toys and Homewares. The attention to details is lovely as you can see. There are a few other pics here which I took earlier in the year.

So, do visit this gem if you are in the area, it might be advisable to book a table as it is becoming a very popular place!

The Bath V and A Christmas Market

 Last Sunday was the Vand A Christmas market in Green Park Station in Bath. After an anxious drive through the flooded roads of Somerset we reached our destination safely. Here are just a few images from some of the super quality stalls. Above is BBC Homes and Antiques Magazines stand. Beautifully styled by Alice.

  Pretty Textiles and Christmas sparkle on Rebecca's Aix stand......

Fantastic quality Vintage clothing from Cock-a-doodle Vintage. Meet Johnny and Betty!

 This lovely stand was a stunner.... I take my hat off to anyone who can style Christmas decorations with  florals.. checks.. parasols and homewares!

 Check out Adele's website here.

 Below is Katherine's stand. Lots of lovely little temptations.... her blog is here

So, if Christmas Markets are your thing.. do come along and see us on the 15th December at The Vintage Bazaar at the Cheese and Grain in Frome. Doors open at 9am and the fair will end at 3 pm. Admission £1.

The Sewing Journal.. perfect gift?

Just in time for Christmas is Rachel Goodchild's latest creation!

Introducing the new Sewing Journal. Designed for lovers of sewing, a journal for sewing sketches, ideas and general notes and inspirations. The Sewing Journal is a white wire spiral bound book with 70 pages (140 sides) of blank white paper in a 100gsm weight (also comes with an added lined separate sheet for those who require). The journal size is 160 mm x 220mm, a handy size to fit in your bag.
Printed on FSC recycled papers, the journal also has a grosgrain tape measure bookmark and comes wrapped in a cellophane bag. This really is the perfect gift for anyone who sews, whether it is for pleasure or work. To buy the Sewing Journal, click here. 

A great place to spend a rainy afternoon!

Yesterday I was busy doing errands and generally catching up with lots of things after a manic run of selling at various fairs.....

The Vintage Trading Company has recently opened in Exeter and was somewhere that I was looking forward to visiting.

 There was a friendly welcome from Shelley and Maggie, and after a chat it was time to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and some great stands of treasures.

This fantastic dresser caught my eye. If only I had a kitchen big enough for it!

There was something to suit every taste, and all displayed beautifully......

Mr W. would have loved this enormous old sack, but he wasn't with me to be tempted.

How inviting is this area? I also liked the fact that everything was clearly marked with a price.

Last, but not least... this tempting miniature 50's toy so nearly came home with me!!! Might have to put that on the Christmas list.... If you are in the Exeter area, do visit The Vintage Trading Company at 16 Marsh Green Road East, Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8PQ.

The Vintage Christmas Boutique at Woburn Abbey

 Yesterday was the Vintage Christmas Boutique at Woburn. The brain child of Ali of Betty and Violet.

 A sumptuous event with a super selection of Vintage sellers, all bringing their best Seasonal stock for this amazing Fair.....

 Here are just a few images..... These are from a beautiful stand - The talented duo of Nuptialicious and Pullo Darling!

These little chaps were found on Vintage treasures stall. Another lady who always puts together a colourful show of tempting goodies.

 Hesta Nesta's stand was a true masterpiece. This talented lady can pull together the most amazing stand and has the most wonderful stock... She will be at The Vintage Bazaar in Frome on Saturday 15th December....

 Another lovely stand with attention to detail was  MiMi's Vintage

 Above is Betty and Violet. ..and below is Every Small Stitch. Another regular at The Vintage Bazaar.

 These pix do not really do justice to The Velevet Eccentric gals. Visit their FB page or website to get a taste of "Wow" in their creations!

 Another of my favourite stands is this one All things Vintage and Beautiful.. Apologies if I haven't mentioned you in this post. I will try to gather details by email over the weekend.

Finally a big thank you to all the lovely bloggers and customers who ventured out on a very foggy cold day in order to attend the Fair!